Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman made history when he agreed to be Vice President Al Gore's running mate in the 2000 election. This made him the first observant Jew to ever appear on a national ticket. As a Jewish American who had experienced antisemitism, I was inspired by Lieberman's nomination and hoped one day a Jew might even rise up to be President of the United States. At the time that I write this article, another Democratic vice president is seeking the presidency, and two of Kamala Harris' six finalists are Jewish: Governors Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania and J. B. Pritzker of Illinois
Yet unlike the early '00s, the early '20s are a more complex time when it comes to understanding Jewish identity. So even though I hope young Jews today can feel a sense of pride and inspiration at the possible candidacies of Shapiro and Pritzker, much as I was moved by Lieberman's 2000 campaign, the tragic truth is that matters are much more complicated now.
